The second man is a man who I will call D. D grew up in a household where he had a loving mother and dad, but dad was controlled by alcohol. This man’s story can be paralleled to the true story and motion pix “I Can Only Imagine” the story of the lead singer in the Christian group “Mercy Me.” We were and are close friends and worked together in music and ministry over the years. Sometimes being persecuted for our unconventional approach to worship and caring for the least of these.
He broke out of his childhood experiences rose above them, forgave the past and self-educated himself into a marvelous musician, a good career in high tech digital systems, and a wonderful Christian family with kids being musicians and excelling at everything they do. However, soon after his marriage, the demons of his father plagued him as well, but his strong wife stood beside him, and he was redeemed, and life moves forward.
He shared with me that he and his wife went to see the movie mentioned above, he needed her to calm himself for that was his story, and it was overwhelming. Maybe sometimes putting people in our lives that will be a part of that redemption can complete the circle in life’s worldly twists and turns.
So, looking back on part one and part two together. We don’t know what happened to M in his search for redemption, but D’s has amid a tumultuous journey a happy ending. Why is this? One man’s struggles reach out, reads his Bible, gets a few breaks, but still, redemption alludes him. Another man goes through somewhat similar experiences and succeeds. The first man is black and the other white, we can stipulate to the economic and prejudicial differences. But I gave M a chance and loved him like a brother. D battled through his life, not particularly gifted by stature economics or even race to a great degree. Why is that? As the Christian song goes, “God Only Knows.” I don’t cloak my outward self in my Christianity. Still, I do know, especially now, that if I couldn’t bridge the human gap between God and me with Jesus in my present state of depression, it would be virtually impossible in my eyes to understand his ways remotely.
So, where am I? That is the question of the day. I’m not nor have not gone through what these two men have endured and am as lost as they were. In many ways, even though now I have a life to look back upon with more hits than misses. I had a wonderful loving mom and dad to raise me and, at last, grown or nearly grown kids, and at last, as well a loyal, devoted wife that takes care of me and for now a roof over my head and daily provision. Why Lord have you blessed me with such rewards for my good deeds and helped me weather the storms of the not so good, only to forsake me and leave me helpless to do a few chores and write drivel? Is this all there is? I guess I’ll just keep reading out of my tattered well-used old Bible and try to make sense of it all.
Tales from Depression and Dealing with it. 